5th February 2021

 
Where were we twelve months ago?  The media was talking about a place called Wuhan, that no one had ever heard of.  We were told of this strange illness with flu like systems that was attacking the populations and many people were dying.   They said it came from a ‘wet market’ there, where strange animals were being killed and consumed.  That city was going into a ’lockdown’, what ever that was and they were wearing masks. We were fine here on the other side of the World.  No masks. Manchester dog show had just taken place with Boston and Crufts not far off. That is how it started.  Now the future is a little brighter with COVID injections.  So, once we get past the winter blues and into the spring let us be a little more positive that we once again can enjoy life outside our homes.
 
On the BBC television program entitled “The Farmers County Showdown” two families are followed preparing themselves for a local farmer’s market.  This particular episode was filmed in Wales, with two families, one of the families were pig farmers that had diversified into making charcuterie and other smoked pork items.  Towards the end of the program, they showed them at the Farmer’s market.  There before my very eyes was the back of a lady with long dark hair holding three Salukis.  One was a golden fawn, a second a parti coloured and the third a lighter fawn. Any ideas who they might be?
 
I was reading through other breed notes in this paper dated January 29th.   In the Basset Griffon Vandeen (Grand) notes written by Vivien Phillips she has written about the difficulties of sending a puppy to Northern Ireland.  She goes on to state “Another inconvenience for pet owners, Brexit red tape means that owners will be unable to take their pet’s food, if it contains meat, dairy or fish when holidaying in the EU.  Vivien goes on to say “Hopefully the Kennel Club and Defra may be able to change those rules, but in dealing with the EU I would not hold my breath.  They are even taking sandwiches off HGV drivers in Holland if they brought then with them”. 
(maybe the UK is doing the same, who knows)
 
In next week’s notes I hope to have an update on the future of the SGHC Limited Show which was planned for April.  Also, for the SGHC AGM, which was due to be held on the same day.